Announcement! The second video in my "Emptiness & Suffering" video series has posted on my YouTube channel Plant Powered Buddhist. This video titled "What Is Suffering?" was posted Thursday December 27, 2018. Learn a few details about this specific video in this podcast episode...🙏🏾☸️📿 #consciousness #spirituality #emptiness #plantpoweredbuddhist

Announcement! My new "Emptiness & Suffering" video series has just launched on my YouTube channel Plant Powered Buddhist. The first video "Emergence of Phenomena" was posted Monday December 24th, 2018. Listen to a few details about the series in this podcast episode...🙏🏾☸️📿 #consciousness #spirituality #emptiness #plantpoweredbuddhist

Loneliness is something most people fear and avoid. This is a missed opportunity to become powerful beyond your imagination. If you can be with it the prize is yours. The question is...how do you do it? 🙏🏾📿☸️ #consciousness #spirituality #emptiness #satsang #plantpoweredbuddhist #senseiderekfletcher

All too often you own your challenges or hardships. Then they take ownership of you. This results in additional pain and suffering. This cycle, supported by the mind, can go on forever. How do you break this cycle? Here's the first step...🙏🏾

Announcing the release of Plant Powered Buddhist herbal blends! These are blends that I have personally crafted and use myself to maintain optimal health. (including my personal alkaline pH of 7.6-8.0) They are available to purchase now at PlantPoweredBuddhist.com 🙏🏾🌱

I have been asked to give a little more detail about how it is that I don't suffer. Though it seems unimaginable to most it's quite possible for you too. For more content on this please visit Patreon.com/ConsciousnessNow #consciousness #spirituality #senseiderekfletcher

Mindfulness has been a buzzword for several years now. While most people believe in its ability to achieve its ends, I totally disagree...🙏🏾 To hear an extended discussion on this go to Patreon.com/ConsciousnessNow

People often jump to the lesser issue of "how" they suffer. This focus will never relieve your suffering and often times will only increase it. The only question to ask is: "Why do I suffer?" The answer to this is not kind but nonetheless true...🙏🏾 #consciousness #spirituality #inspire #senseiderekfletcher

Many people are struggling today with a question: "Shall I live a spiritual life or pursue material things?" This is problematic but not for the reasons that most people think. Sensei offers a subtle perspective about this challenge. 🙏🏾

Freedom is a phenomenon that is of interest to everyone. It's life's most precious "currency." Yet, as life progresses we feel less and less of it. This does not have to be so and here's why...🙏🏾 #consciousness #spirituality #senseiderekfletcher

Many of the challenges we encounter in romantic relationships are self produced. The source of this has to do with our orientation to love. Rare is the person who can love without poisoning the experience with this destructive element. 💔 #consciousness #spirituality #love

We miss the opportunity to experience and enjoy clearer Consciousness every day. So many people keep their living spaces dirty or cluttered. Then they wonder why depression, anxiety or negative thoughts haunt them. It boils down to a lack of discipline and understanding of our environment on our Consciousness. It's time to change this unhealthy habit... #consciousness #spirituality

The Four Noble Truths of the Buddha are essential to understanding and practicing Buddhism. If you are interested in eliminating your suffering you will benefit from understanding the Four Noble Truths. Here Sensei shares some thoughts on the Third. 🙏🏾☸️

Love is such a powerful force in our existence. It is responsible for many wonderful things. Yet, with all of its power and influence, it is no more permanent than a blade of grass and Sensei explains why...🙏🏾 #consciousness #spirituality #senseiderekfletcher

Here Sensei shares one of the truths that has significantly impacted his personal life and heartfelt understanding of Consciousness. For extended content on Consciousness visit Patreon.com/ConsciousnessNow🙏🏾☸️📿

Have you ever looked up the phrase "clinically depressed?" Do you know what depression really is? Often people seek a title and story to give to their sadness, grief or sorrow. One of those prematurely used is "I'm depressed" when really they are simply sad. Sensei offers a thought on this...

Some people may think highly of their professional skills or ability to perform a task. They may even be able to love others intensely. Yet, when it comes to loving themselves they are not able to do it. Are you one of these people? Sensei opens up this topic on why this is the case with many people.

As a child the game of tag was a favorite. Once someone was chased and touched by another we'd say "you're it!" Such a simple playful utterance which means so much more as an adult. (for more content on Consciousness visit Patreon.com/ ConsciousnessNow)

Children can develop in a natural way if given general proper guidance and protection. A problem arises though when adults begin layering identities on them. In this episode, Sensei gives some insight on this while walking through a park and observing parents and children interacting...

Scores of books have been written about the ego. Perhaps even more therapeutic theories have sprung from this idea. Likewise, dozens of human flaws and mental disturbances have been attributed to the notion of the ego. The ego and Santa Claus share one fundamental characteristic and here's what it is...

We do maintenance on our cars and other mechanical gadgetry. If you have the means, you see a doctor once a year for a "check up." Do you regularly do anything to maintain your spiritual health? Do you need a guru? Here's Sensei's thought on it. If you want to hear more on this and Consciousness visit Patreon.com/ConsciousnessNow ☀️📿

Fasting is an age old spiritual practice and one of my favorites. There are several types of fasting each with great benefits. I discuss a few of them here. If you'd like more information on this topic please visit patreon.com/ConsciousnessNow 🙏🏾

Consciousness is all pervasive and not restricted by boundaries. It also expresses itself in groups, organizations and businesses. Listen in as Sensei gives a brief introduction to corporate conscience. If you want to hear more on this topic and consciousness, please go over to Patreon.com/ConsciousnessNow...

There is a deeply profound question that has intrigued, enlightened and haunted humankind since it was first asked. As insightful as it has been, we need to stop asking it and instead ask this more important question...

People erroneously state and believe that questions are more important than answers or that the journey is more important than the destination when it comes to spiritual understanding. In this episode, Sensei explains why this is NOT true...🙏🏾📿

Sensei's invites you to visit Amazon.com and purchase his new book "Love Letters: Him To Her" which is available in paperback and ebook format. It's the first book of a 4 part series. Listen in on how he delves into this topic (love) that is of interest to everyone!

Here Sensei expounds upon the relationship between time and consciousness but adds the element of death. Death has a unique role in this whole process. Listen in to find how it's impacting all of your decisions in life...🙏🏾

Sensei raises a question regarding our present understanding of time and its impact on our ability to deepen our consciousness. A good thought experiment is proposed to illistrate the point. Try it and share your thoughts here! 🙏🏾

I was first introduced to Black MP (mineral-probiotics) products last year by a family member who is fighting cancer. I was so impressed after using it, I contacted the company. One result of that is that you now get to buy this at a significant discount! Listen in to get the code✌🏾😀

Today our culture is obsessed with youth and being young. In the West, if you are 30 or older you’re “washed up.” Cicero wrote a brilliant book on the aging process. Here are my thoughts on our circumstances and his book.📚

Many have probsbly pondered the question: “If I were going to die tomorrow, what would I do today?” It’s an interesting question. However, the question I pose I believe is more penetrating. Listen and send your thoughts to me via email on my blog at: PlantPoweredBuddhist.com

Oddly enough, during the holiday season depression, sadness, family drama and loneliness skyrockets! This should not be the case. Let me help you make this holiday season better. Let’s have tea together. Listen how and let’s connect...

We often feel isolated and alone on our life journey, especially when dealing with existential or spiritual angst. It comforting to know that in fact no one is alone in this. There are enlightened beings who have made vows to assist us. One such Buddha who made these vows is the Medicine Buddha. This beautiful vow is #7 out of 12 vows made...

In Part 1 we introduced some basic notions of causes and conditions within the Buddhist concept of Dependent Origination. In this segment the focus is Cause & Effect. Cause & Effect along with its 6 key principles are explained and supported with examples and applications. If you’d like to see the videos please search & subscribe to Plant Powered Buddhist YouTube and/or follow my blog at PlantPoweredBuddhist.wordpress.com

In vain perhaps do we search for the single source of everything. A linear way of thinking, as opposed to the structure of consciousness, may be what prevents us form clearly seeing the answer. The good news is that there is an answer to where EVERYTHING comes from. In Buddhism, we have a concept called Dependent Origination. In this brief introduction, I begin to explain it.